Thursday, October 3, 2013

Boston-
Compelled to take legislative action against those who abuse animals, the
Senate Republican Caucus is filing legislation later this week that would
increase the penalties, and create safeguards against those who commit
horrendous acts of abuse against animals, and are calling on their colleagues
of both branches to make the bill a bicameral, bipartisan effort.On August 31, “Puppy Doe” was euthanized
after she had been discovered in a Quincy park suffering from long term,
irreversible damage to her body, which included a stab wound to her eye; the
splitting of her tongue to look like a serpent; dislocated shoulder, elbow,
wrist, and ankle; burned, and starved.

“Our
laws are woefully outdated regarding the subject of punishing those who abuse
animals,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).“As a society, we need to stand up against
those who would inflict pain so ruthlessly and coldheartedly, and tell them these
actions cannot and will not be tolerated.”

The
legislation, which is titled “An Act Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety” or
the “PAWS Act”, raises fines and penalties, and creates an animal abuse
registry.Highlights of the bill
include:

Establishing an anonymous animal abuse tip hotline;

Expanding the use of the Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund
to include the rehabilitation and care of abused animals, and increasing
the size of the board that administers the fund to include a special state
police officer from an animal humane organization, and a member of local
law enforcement;

Imposing a fine of up to $1,000 on any veterinarian who knowingly
and willfully fails to report a suspected act of cruelty to an animal;

Increasing the penalties associated with cruelty to animals, or
maliciously killing, maiming, disfiguring, or exposing them to poison from
$2,500 to between $2,500 and $10,000 (current law also includes
imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years or imprisonment
in the house of correction for not more than 2 ½ years);

Increasing the penalties for a second or subsequent offense from
5-10 years state imprisonment and a fine between $5,000 to $20,000;

Increasing the penalty for a hit and run conviction on a cat or
dog from a $50 fine to up to $2,000 fine and/or up to 60 days in a house
of corrections;

Creating a statewide registry of convicted individuals of animal
abuse crimes, and requires all animal shelters, pet stores or animal
breeders to check the registry prior to offering, selling, delivering, or
giving an animal to any individual; and

Creating a 9-member commission to review the state’s animal
cruelty laws, many of which date back to the late 19th and early 20th
centuries.

“Abusing
or torturing an animal is a heinous crime and those who commit these crimes
need to be held responsible for their actions,” said Senator Robert Hedlund
(R-Weymouth).“As a state and as a
society, we need to ensure our laws are designed to adequately punish those who
choose to abuse animals.”

“This
long overdue legislation will provide vital updates to the Commonwealth’s
animal cruelty laws,” said Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham). “It is imperative
that we take a stand to protect all those living in the Commonwealth. By
sending the message that these atrocious examples of abuse will not be stood
for, we are reinforcing the safety of our communities as a whole.”

The
bill, which includes a key provision from H.1243 sponsored by Democratic
Representative Linda Dean Campbell (D-Methuen), allows district attorneys to
file a petition to the courts ordering a defendant to post a security or bond
for the care of animals that have been impounded as a result of abuse or
cruelty.

“Sadly,
many of the animals seized by the MSPCA and other humane organizations require
extensive rehabilitation and sometimes a lifetime of treatment, which can
become extremely costly,” said Representative Linda Dean Campbell
(D-Methuen).“I am thankful to Senator
Tarr and his caucus for working so diligently to offer this legislative
measure, and it is my hope that as a legislature we can pass this commonsense
bill expeditiously.”

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Welcome to Tarr Talk, which is created to offer you convenient access to information about state government, public policy, and important events that are shaping the future of our state. My staff and I are working to give you timely insights into the issues faced by the legislature and the events that relate to these issues. I hope that you find this site to be a valuable resource, and that you'll visit us often for a view of what's happening on Beacon Hill and beyond.

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I or a member of my staff hold office hours throughout the district at the following locations every month:

Every Wednesday from 9:00am-12:00pm at the Rowley Town Hall Annex:

39 Central StreetRowley, MA 01969(978) 325-3661

The last Friday of every month from 12:30pm-1:30pm at the Rose Baker Senior Center:

6 Manuel F. Lewis St.Gloucester, MA 01930

You may also call my office at (617) 722-1600 and speak with a member of my staff to discuss any issue or to schedule a meeting.